App Development Is At An All-Time… And It’s Thanks To AI

App development has gone from strength to strength ever since the release of the original iPhone. But, in 2024, the tools and processes for building the software have radically changed, making it accessible to hobbyists and entrepreneurs from a non-technical background.

Low-code and no-code platforms have revolutionised how apps are made, similar to what drag-and-drop website builders did to the web. These platforms, such as Bubble and Adalo have seen a rise in usage.

One thing that is of paramount importance but is dangerous in the hands of a beginner developer is security. But, with the rise of mobile application security services, this has become easily outsourced.

Low-code solutions are nothing new, but language learning models like ChatGPT are now at a stage where they can produce sophisticated code. And, while they’re limited in managing complex projects, they’re make highly productive personal assistance, in which users can bounce ideas off, example code, and ask for feedback or iterations.

Surge in Accessibility and Adoption

Data shows a significant increase in low-code and no-code app development. A 2023 study by Forrester estimated that the low-code market reached $13 billion by the end of 2023. Forrester predicts that this market could grow to around $30 billion by 2028, with a potential high growth scenario reaching $50 billion.

Current adoption rates are impressive. Over 65% of app development in 2024 is expected to utilise low-code or no-code solutions, meaning that entrepreneurs with the idea are now empowered to put it into action.

This is a considerable leap from previous years. The number of apps developed using these platforms has tripled since 2020, and this isn’t including the total use of LLMs, because some simply act as chatbots. This is blurring the line even more between what is considered low-code, because LLMs are making traditional development more accessible.

AI-Powered Tools Transforming Development

AI tools are clearly transforming app development, just as they are transforming education, marketing, and translation services.

It’s not that non-coders are now making apps, but that experienced programmers can develop faster and cheaper. Their productivity is being supercharged by letting AI handle the simple elements and scripting. This is bad news for less experienced developers, but regardless of the job market, it’s simply allowing for more apps to be produced. Small businesses using AI-driven tools have seen app development times reduced by 70% according to Tech Republic.

Getting repeatable results is still difficult for AI, but this is expected to be refined through more sophisticated parameters (or Custom GPTs that work better) and integration with low-code builders.

Industry Impact and Case Examples

Various industries are seeing significant benefits. In healthcare, apps developed with AI-powered low-code tools are enhancing patient care. For example, telemedicine platforms were rapidly developed during the pandemic, faster than usual, providing crucial remote healthcare services

In education, there’s a conflict between whether we need AI-built apps, or simply hand over the AI to the students. In reality, there’s been a merging, where AI-built apps are producing refined interfaces where students can speak to LLMs but under more controlled contexts. For example, an LLM with custom instructions about it’s role as a Spanish tutor, and with clearer rules that a human teacher may abide by. The result has been a fall in the stock price of educational platforms like Duolingo.

Conclusion

AI has transformed app development, making it more accessible than ever. Low-code and no-code platforms have played a significant role too, and the two together are supercharging the speed and ease of development. This has allowed people from non-technical backgrounds to express their ideas quicker into apps, and at a much lower cost. The result has been record-high app development.